Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13
From IDW Publishing
A new beginning with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 from IDW Publishing.
A new era of TMNT begins!
Acclaimed Eisner-winning writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Superman Smashes the Klan) takes on writing duties for TMNT!
Following the stunning events of TMNT #12, the Turtles face a different New York... one where they are viewed as heroes! The celebration will be short-lived as new threats vie for control. The mutant yak Papa Beng is determined to widen the power base for his gang. Yet little does he know that he and other TMNT villains are being stalked by a powerful new assassin... Ujigami!
by Gene Luen Yang (Author), Freddie E. Williams II (Artist)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 offers a solid fresh start — a great jumping-on point for anyone who may have fallen behind or is just now diving into the IDW era. The brothers are reunited, back in their home turf of New York City, and right away they’re thrown into chaos: an all-out gang war that’s threatening to tear the streets apart.
With the assassination of a central gang boss, every faction in the city suddenly sees an opportunity. Turf, power, revenge — they all want their slice, and they’re not exactly being subtle about it. The tension spills into a full-blown street conflict, and that’s where our favourite heroes step in. The brothers’ banter is back in full force — light-hearted jabs, sibling squabbles, and that familiar family energy — all. At the same time, they try to keep civilians safe and stop the violence from escalating even further.
The issue leans hard into the action, and it works beautifully. The Turtles bounce from brawl to brawl, doing their best to be proactive rather than reactive, but the situation is bigger than even they expected. Each encounter is dynamic, with a strong sense of motion and teamwork that reminds us why this franchise continues to thrive — it’s not just ninjutsu, it’s camaraderie.
And lurking beneath all of this? A much bigger problem. Ujigami — the new threat hinted at — looms large over the narrative. The final pages pull back the curtain just enough to show us who (or what) he is, but not sufficiently to explain everything. It’s a bold tease that flips the stakes dramatically and leaves us questioning the who, the why, and what exactly this new villain’s arrival means for the Turtles going forward.
As a hook for a new arc, it’s innovative and very effective — laying groundwork while still delivering a complete, exciting instalment.
Visually, the issue shines. The assassination sequence — shown from different angles — gives a cinematic feel right from the start. The kinetic battle on the Brooklyn Bridge is exceptionally well executed, with fast-paced panel work that captures the danger and momentum of the fight. From the gritty urban backdrops to expressive character work, the art team nails the tone.
Overall, this is a well-crafted, energetic issue and a strong beginning for this creative team — reuniting the brothers, raising the stakes, and promising the kind of story TMNT fans love to sink their teeth into. Cowabunga to that!
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